Clear vision steering wheel



1943- E. ESCHELBACHER 2,326,131

CLEAR VISION STEERING WHEEL Filed April 23, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ZmaezzeZIsc/ze/daa/aer ATTORN EY Patented Aug. 10, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEAR visroN STEERING WHEEL. Emanuel Esch'elbacher, New York, N. Y. Application April 23 1942, Serial No. 440,1s

7 Claims. (01. 74 193) This invention relates to new and useful im-' provements in a clear vision steering wheel.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the construction of a rim type steering wheel having a front section of its rim pivotally mounted and adapted to be hinged downwards.

The invention contemplates a novel means for holding hinged section in its normal raised position.

Furthermore, the invention contemplates a novel means by whichthe hinged section may be lowered. v v

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that when the hinged front section of the rim is lowered there is a clear view over the steering wheel.

For further comprehension of this invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in whichthe various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material' part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a plan view of a clear vision steering wheel constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating the parts in a different position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a clear vision steering wheel constructed in accordance with a modification of this invention.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 'l-'I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but illustrating the parts'in a different position.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a clear v sion steering wheel constructed in accordance with a still further modification of this invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line lit-49 of Fig.9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of the line lie-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 10 but illustrating the parts in a different position. Fig. 13 is a side elevational View of the wheel in the position shown in Fig. 12.

The clear vision steeringwheel, according to this invention, includes a steering wheel having a separate front section 30*. The steering wheel 30 is of the rim type and when the adjacent ends of the body of the steering wheel and the'front section are in alignment, which is the normal operative position of the front section 30 a complete circular wheel is formed.

Means is provided forpivotally supporting the front section 30 of the steering wheel to pivot downwards to an inoperative position. This means comprises a disc 3| which is fixedly mounted upon the steering wheel 30. The disc 3! is formed with a projecting lug 32 which projects to the exterior of the wheel 30 and along a. boss 33 formed on the wheel 30. A screw 34 passes through the lug 32 and into the boss 33 for holding the disc 3| in position upon the wheel 33.

The front section 30 of the wheel 30 is formed with a pair of spaced fingers 35 which extend along and are in face engagement with the sides of the disc 3!. A pin 35 engages through the overlapping portions of the fingers 35 and the disc 3| for pivotally supporting the front section 30 on the disc 3| which is in turn fixedly mounted upon the wheel 30.

Another means is provided for holding the front section 3min its normal operative position or i in one of several downwardly extended inoperative positions relative to the fixedly mounted disc 3|. The end of the front section 3t! is formed with a recess 31 which extends radially of the disc 3!. A ball 38 is mounted slidably within the recess '31 and is engageable with one of a plurality of complementary semi-circular cutouts 39 formed in the periphery of the disc 3|. An expansion spring 40 operates between the ball 38 and the back end of the recess 31 for urging the ball into engagement with one of the cutouts 38. The 'construction'is so arranged that when the front section is manually pivoted the ball 38 jumpsfrom cutout 39 to cutout until the desired adjusted position is reached and then the ball nestles within the adjacent cutout 39 and the spring 40 retains the ball in position to held the front section 30 in the desired adjusted position.

When the method of connecting the front section 30 to the steering wheel has been described in the singular with particular reference to' one end only the method of connecting is the same for both ends ofthe front section 30 I In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 to 8 a rim type steering wheel fiil is shown. This steering wheel has a separate front secfront section a? in its downwards.

' their rear ends by pintles 22 tion 5% having a normal operative, in which completes the circular formation of the wheel the front section 59 with the ends of the steering wheel 5i so that the front section will be capable of being pivoted from the operative to the inoperative position and vice versa.

A releasable means is provided for holding the normal operative position. This meanscomprises' a spring clip 52 mounted within an opening 53 formed in each end of the front section 58, Each spring clip 52 comprises a disc 54 secured to the base of the respective opening 5-3 by means'of screws from the periphery of the ends projected beyond The'endsof 55. Fingers 56 project discs 54 and have their the ends of the front section- 59% the fingers 56 are shaped to grip. the walls of a frusto-conically shaped recess 51 formed in the ends of thesteering wheel 5-9. V

The engaged position of the fingers oi' the spring clips 52 with therecesses 510i frustoconicaL shape is illustrated in Fig. 7. When pressure is applied ina downward direction the fingers 5E snap out ofthe recess 5'5 freeing the front section 5!? to pivot in a downward direction. When the front section Et is returned to its normal operative position again the fingers 55 willsnap into the opening 53' for lockingthe front section 5% in its operative position. The clear view steering wheel, according to I the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 13, is used in combination with a steering ccl- ,ulmn If! having a stationary tubular casing, it

through whichthe steering shaft 12 passes. A rim type steering wheel is is keyed on the said shaft !2 and is. slidable fora short distance thereon and hasv a front section. it pivotally mounted so as to be capable'of hinging downwards. -In Fig. 10 the hinged front'section 13 is shown in its raised normal position. In Fi 12 itis shown hinged to its downward position in which condition the view over the steering wheel. is unimpeded.

The hinged section 53 of the steering wheel is fixedlymounted upona rod i4 coaxial'with the hinge construction of the rim section. The hinge .constructionis indicated by reference numerals 15. When the front section te is moved on' its hinges the rod Mturns correspondingly.

. Means 'is provided forholding the front section w of the rim of the steering wheel in its raised normal condition. This means comprises springs l6 coaxiallymonnted upon the end portions of the rod M and acting between the adjacent ends of the hinged section I3 and the remaining rim portion of the steering wheel. Means is also provided for hinging the front section Ii! of the rim of the steering wheel downwards when the steering wheel is is moved Normally, the steering wheel is is urged upwardsv by an expansion spring I? which. is coaxially mounted about the shaft l3 and which acts between a washer is mounted across the tubular casing ll, and'the bottom face of the hub of the steering wheel it Reference numeral !9 indicates the key which slidably connects the steering wheel 13 to the shaft l2.

Radial arms 2E) are fixedly mounted on the rod M and project towardsandto sides of the shaft 12. Levers 2! are pivotally mounted at .and areconnected with the rear ends of the arms 2!). These connections are accomplished by pins .33 mounted on the arms 29 which engage slots 24 formed in the ends of the levers 2!. Each of the levers 2i is provided with a projection 25 which normally engages against the washer I3.

There is latch means by which the steering wheel l3 may be latched in its depressed condition. This means comprises a cam 26 which is idably mounted on the hub portion of the steering wheel l3 and. which is capable of being moved forwards and rearwards, as desired. This cam 2e has a U-shaped front end 26 which engages beneath a top washer El mounted on the steering shaft I2. The rear end of the cam 26 "is formed with a slot 25 through which holding These pins 2?) limit motion of the cam 25% to a forward and rearward direction.

1 The operation of the device is as follows:

With the parts as illustrated in Fig. 10 the steering wheel it may be turned in the usual way for the steering operation. If it is desired to lower the front portion ES of the rim of the steering wheel 53 to clear the vision over the steering wheel it is merely necessary to press the steering wheel i 3 downwards. This com.- presses the spring ll. Simultaneously, the levers 2! will move relatively upwards in relation to the downwards position of the steering wheel l3. This moves the arms 25 relatively upwards and causes the front section us of the steering wheel to pivot downwards,

The steering wheel may be released and then the spring I? will move it back to the original position which raises the front section [3 of its rim. Or, the cam 26 may be moved forwards to the position shown in Fig. 12 in which, the raised portion of the cam engages beneath the Washer ll, holding the parts in a position in which the front section w of the rim of the steering wheel is in its down position.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a steering column having a stationary tubular casing through which the steering shaft passes, a rim type steering wheel keyed on said shaf and slidable for a short distance thereon and having the front section of it rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means for holding said front section of the rim of said steering wheel in its raised normal position, and means for hinging said front section of the rim of said steering Wheel downwards upon moving said steering wheel downwards. I

2. In a steering column having a stationary tubular casing through which the steering shaft passes, a rim type steering wheel keyed on said shaft and slidable for a short distance thereon and having the front section of its rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means or holding hinged front section and the remaining portions of the rim of the steering wheel. 7

3. In a steering column having a stationary tubular casing through which the steering shaft passes, a rim type steering wheel keyed on said shaft and slidable for a short distance thereon and having the front section of its rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means for holding said front section of the rim of said steering wheel in its raised normal position, and means shaft and slidable for ashort distance thereon and having the front section of its rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means for holding said front section of the rim of said steering wheel in its raised normal position, and means for hinging said front sectionof the rim of said steering wheel downwards upon moving said steering wheel downwards, said first-named means comprising springs acting between the hinged front section and the rim-of the steering wheel and locatedcoe axially with the hinge thereof, said means'for hinging the front section of the rim as stated comprises radial arms projecting from said rod,

' levers ,pivotally mounted on the main portion of the steering wheel and having projections engaging a washer mounted across the top of said tubular casing, said levers being connected with said arms, whereby when the steering wheel is depressed the arms will be moved to hinge the front section downwards.

5. In a steering column having a stationary tubular casing through which the steering shaft passes, a rim type steering wheel keyed on said shaft and slidable for a short distance thereon and having the front section of its rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means for holding said front section of the rim of said steering wheel in its raised normal position, and means for hinging said front section of the rim of said steering wheel downwards upon moving said steering wheel downwards, said first-named means comprising springs acting between the hinged front section and the remaining portions 5 of the rim of the steering wheel, and a'rod fixedly connected with the hinged front section of the rim of the steering wheel located coaxially with the hinge thereof, said means for-hinging the front section of the rim as stated comprises radialarms projecting from said rod, levers pivotally mounted on the main portionof the steering wheel and having projections engaging a washer mounted across the top of said tubular casing, said levers being connected with said arms, whereby when the steering wheel is deand the remaining portions,

pressed the arms will be moved to hinge the front section downwards, and resilient means urging said steering wheel into its raised position.

6. In a steering column having a stationary i tubular casing through which the steering shaft passes, a rim type steering wheel keyed on said shaft and slidable for a short distance thereon and having the front section of its rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means for holding said front section of the rim of said steering wheel. in its raised normal position, and means for hinging said front section of the rim of said steering wheel downwards upon moving said steering .wheel downwards, said first-named means comprising springs acting between the hinged front section and the remaining portions of the rim of the steering wheel, and a rod fixedly connected with the hinged frontsection of the rim of the steering wheel and located coaxially with the hinge thereof, said means for hinging the front section of the rim as stated com-- prises radial arms projecting from said rod, levers the remaining portions of the rim of the steering wheel, and a rod fix- 1 edly connected with the hinged front section of pivotally mounted on the main portion of the casing, said levers being connected with said arms, whereby when the steering Wheel is depressed the arms will be moved to hinge the front section downwards, and resilient means urging said steering wheel into its raised position, and means for latching said steering wheel in its depressed condition. V V

7. In a steering column having a stationary tubular casing through which the steering shaft passes, a rim type steering wheel keyed on said shaft and slidable for a short distance thereon and having the front section of its rim pivotally mounted to hinge downwards, means for holding said front section of the rim of said steering wheel in its raised normal position, and means for hinging said front section ofthe rim of said steering wheel downwards upon moving said steering wheel downwards, said first-named means comprising springs acting between the hinged front section and the remaining portions of the rim. of the steering wheel, and a rod fixedly connected with the hinged front section of the rim of the steering wheel and located coaxially withthe hinge thereof, said means for hinging the front section of the rim as stated comprises radial arms projectingfrom said rod, levers-- pivotally mounted on the main portion of the steering wheel and having projections engaging a washer'mounted across the top of said tubular casing, said levers being connected with said arms, whereby when the steering wheel is depressed the arms will be moved to hinge the front section downwards, and resilient means urging said steering wheel into its raised position, and

means for latching said steering wheel in its desteering wheel and having projection engaging 

